New in Apple’s iOS 6: Gay and Lesbian Emoticons

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The next version of software for the iPhone and iPad will include gay and lesbian emojis for the first time. Emojis are the small emoticon-like icons or pictures included in some phone operating systems. They can be inserted into text messages or emails.

The new emojis in the iOS 6 operating system feature both lesbian and gay couples holding hands. There are also ones of heterosexual couples. Apple has publicly supported gay rights.

Apple’s iOS 6 operating system is due out later this year. It was detailed earlier this week at the company’s WWDC conference in San Francisco.